Morton Slumber of Slumber, Inc. comes across more like a smooth-talking car salesman than a funeral director. As Bond, posing as Peter Franks, attends his “brother’s” cremation, Slumber delivers a polished routine complete with rehearsed condolences, dramatic curtains, and an oddly theatrical ceremony that feels more transactional than heartfelt. He even cuts off the angelic music mid-service to usher Bond into his “comfortable” office after offering the above customary farewell.

The scene is certainly memorable, especially when Bond is almost at the receiving end of his own cremation. But it also highlights one of many of Diamonds Are Forever‘s strange narrative detours. Do we really need a funeral home in a Bond movie?

Diamonds Are Forever certainly thought outside of the box of a standard Bond movie, unfortunately much to its detriment.